A new Chinese crime series, "See Her Again," launched on Tencent Video and Netflix on Nov. 20, marking the first crime drama from the Chinese mainland to debut simultaneously on both platforms.

A still from "See Her Again." [Photo courtesy of Tencent Video] 

Directed by Wong Kwok-keung and starring William Chan, Cya Liu and Stephen Fung, the 18-episode series follows a Hong Kong police officer who time-travels from the 1990s to 2018 while investigating murders, teaming up with his partner Liu to revisit the cases. The series weaves together themes of justice, family bonds and Hong Kong's evolving urban culture, examining human nature across 25 years while showcasing modern investigative techniques.

During the Beijing premiere on Nov. 18, Wong highlighted the story's emotional complexity, emphasizing themes of love, redemption and revenge. "The emotions behind the story are deep and rich," he said. "It teaches us how to protect the ones we love. While 'See Her Again' appears to be a detective story, at its core, it's about love, with characters who possess clear emotions and depth."

The series explores the nuances between good and evil, which Wong describes as a "gray area of human nature." He notes that many people navigate challenging environments and relationships, concealing their true feelings in pursuit of personal interests. Wong wants viewers to contemplate moral judgment through the characters' choices.

The production team made significant investments to capture Hong Kong's atmosphere while maintaining high production quality. They followed international standards, emphasizing detailed set design, distinctive cinematography and a unique music design. The show gained international recognition before its release as the sole Asian entry to compete for the Buyers' Coup de C?ur award at MIPTV's MIPDrama Screenings in Cannes in April, marking a significant milestone for Chinese-language programming in global markets.

A premiere event for "See Her Again" is held in Beijing, Nov. 18, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Tencent Video] 

"See Her Again" spans two pivotal periods — 1993 and 2018. Wong revealed that the series drew inspiration from his personal experiences and Hong Kong's distinctive character. "Few projects allow me to showcase Hong Kong across different eras, but 'See Her Again' presents that opportunity," Wong explained. "As a crime drama, it aims to present a 'new Hong Kong style' based on traditional Hong Kong elements, adding emotional depth and social commentary to the fast-paced genre. This allows viewers to experience the tension and thrill of classic Hong Kong dramas while also connecting emotionally with the characters' fates."

Hong Kong dramas are known for their unique landscapes, dialogue, and music, and the team worked hard to capture this essence. Key elements like classic Beyond songs, particularly "Lover," were used to add to the cultural atmosphere. The set design reflects everyday life in Hong Kong, highlighting the city's historical landmarks and iconic scenes. To differentiate the time periods, designers employed distinct color schemes for the police station sets and era-appropriate costumes.

Actor William Chan, who has lived on the Chinese mainland for nearly a decade, reflected on the experience. "This series transported me back to the era of the many Hong Kong dramas I used to watch. In the show, my character flashes back from 2018 to 1993, and every time we shoot scenes from 1993, I really cherish those moments." He also spoke about working with veteran Hong Kong actors whom he had long admired on TVB, a major Hong Kong television network, many of whom have disappeared from the public eye. "I was amazed at their work ethic and how seriously they approached their craft," he added.

A poster for "See Her Again." [Image courtesy of Tencent Video] 

The series is also available on multiple overseas over-the-top (OTT) platforms in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, as well as Tencent Video's own international platform, WeTV. It will also gradually be broadcast on TV networks and platforms globally including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, expanding its global reach.

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